Collar Shaping Device

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for shaping a collar is provided. The collar shaping device includes a U-shaped, semi-rigid element having a first end and a second end adapted for surrounding a shirt collar. The semi-rigid element is coextensive with the shirt collar and includes a gap between the first end and the second end. The first end and the second end curve inwardly and downwardly to match the contours of a shirt collar. A middle portion of the semi-rigid element is integrally formed between the first end and the second end and is adapted to rest against the back of a user&#39;s neck. The collar shaping device is fitted in the cavity under a shirt collar and supports and reshapes a shirt collar.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/986,676 filed on Apr. 30, 2014. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to an apparatus for shaping a collar. More particularly, the present invention relates to a collar shaping device for shaping and molding a shirt turnover collar comprising a U-shaped semi-rigid band having a first end and a second end adapted for surrounding a shirt collar.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of collar stays with shirts has been known and commercially available for a long period of time. For example, collar stays may be inserted into channels or pockets at the shirt collar corners or may be permanently imbedded in the collar at the time of manufacture. Some constructions may utilize rigid, non-bendable collar stays with tapered lower ends to create and maintain straight, flat collar corners. Collar stays may be positioned inside or outside of the shirt collars.

The primary goal of these collar stay designs is to provide rigid support, rather than to customize the shape and direction of the collar stays or collars. For instance, traditional stays may keep the collar corners down but cannot modify or customize the remainder of the shirt collar. Many traditional collar stays end up out of shape from extended use and will eventually lose their rigidity. Outside-type collar stays are generally limited in collar support and do not provide customizable support along the span of the entire shirt collar neckline. Metal stays with springs for tension are known to give shirt collars an unnatural bulky appearance and are not capable of maintaining their shape or customization. Further, they are subject to being lost due to their miniscule size.

Collar stays include individual stays for each corner pocket as well as devices that are simultaneously positioned in each pocket with a connecting portion between the dual corner end pieces. The individual collar stays do not shape or manipulate any shirt collar of a polo shirt around the periphery or exterior boundary of the collar or user's neck. More recent collar stay devices may provide a single device that may be positioned in both collar stay pockets. Many of these devices function by resting at the front of the shirt or near the shirt button. In any case, these devices will be visible to the user and passersby as they are not concealed within the shirt or collar. In addition, these devices are not of sufficient length or durability to shape or manipulate the entirety of the shirt collar.

As stated above, one particular aspect of a polo shirt is its rounded, folded down collar. These rounded collars are difficult to maintain because the material is known to curl and wrinkle over time, especially the collar tips curling at the ends. This is easily noticeable and very unsightly. Accordingly, there is a need to provide a simple, reusable apparatus that can restore the desired curved shape to the shirt collar.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of collar shaping devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new and improved collar shaping device wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when altering the shape of a shirt collar.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved collar shaping device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a collar shaping device including a U-shaped, semi-rigid element having a first end and a second end adapted for surrounding a shirt collar. The semi-rigid element is coextensive with the shirt collar and includes a gap between the first end and the second end. The semi-rigid element rests removably underneath the periphery of the shirt collar.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a collar shaping device including a middle portion of the semi-rigid element that is integrally formed between the first end and the second end. The middle portion is integral with the first end and second end and is proportioned and disposed so as to control the rear of the collar neckline.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a first end and the second end that curves inwardly and downwardly to form a balloon shape. The collar shaping device is fitted in the cavity under a shirt collar and supports and reshapes a shirt collar.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for shaping a shirt collar. The method includes inserting a collar shaping device underneath a shirt collar. After the collar shaping device is placed underneath the shirt collar, the shirt collar is dampened. The method then continues to the shaping step. While the shirt collar is damp, the shirt collar is shaped on the collar shaping device. Finally, the method continues to the drying step, wherein the shirt collar is dried to retain its new shape.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the collar shaping device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the collar shaping device fitted around a shirt collar according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a method for reshaping a collar according to one embodiment of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the collar shaping device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for shaping the collar of a polo shirt. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown views of the collar shaping device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The collar shaping device 100 includes a U-shaped, semi-rigid element 102 having a first end 104 and a second end 106 shaped so as to contour around a user's neck. The semi-rigid element 102 is coextensive with the shirt collar and includes a gap between the first end 104 and the second end 106. The semi-rigid element 102 is preferably a unitary molded collar that is composed of a flexible semi-rigid material so as to separate the first end 104 and the second end 106 when placing the device around a shirt collar.

In one embodiment, the collar shaping device 100 may be made of an alloy with shape memory or molded plastic. A shape memory alloy is an alloy that “remembers” its shape, and can be returned to that shape after being deformed, by applying water and heat to the alloy. In the present invention, a shape memory alloy or moldable plastic can be used to mold the collar into a desired shape. This embodiment allows for the recreation of various classic collar styles and flares across the periphery of the shirt collar. Shape memory alloys include nickel-titanium, copper-aluminum-nickel, copper-zinc-aluminum, and iron-manganese-silicon, among others. This embodiment may also use shape-memory plastic that can be formed at room temperature.

The first end 104 and the second end 106 of the semi-rigid element 102 curve inwardly and downwardly to form a balloon shape. The first end 104 and the second end 106 of the semi-rigid element 102 comprise an upper edge 112 and a lower edge 114. The upper edge 112 of each end slopes downwardly to the lower edge 114. The upper edge 112 of the first end 104 and the second end 106 are adjacent to one another. The lower edge 114 of first end 104 and the second end 106 are angled away from each other relative to each end. A middle portion 110 is integrally formed between the first end and the second end. The middle portion 110 is proportioned and disposed so as to control the rear of the collar neckline. In some embodiments, the middle portion 110, first end 104, and second end 106 have an equal width.

The first end 104 projects downward and forward at an acute angle from a left side of the semi-rigid 102 element and the second end 106 projects downward and forward at an acute angle from a right side of the semi-rigid 102. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first end 104 and the second end 106 of the semi-rigid element 102 is covered in a rubber composite membrane. This membrane provides the exterior surface of the first end 104 and the second end 106 and/or the semi-rigid element 102 with a tacky or texturized quality that aids in keeping the collar shaping device 100 in place when located within the fold of a shirt collar. The rubber coating may comprise one continuous, uninterrupted membrane that covers the entire exterior surface.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a flowchart of a method for reshaping a collar according to one embodiment of the present invention. The method 200 for shaping a shirt collar includes an inserting step 202. At inserting step 202, a collar shaping device is inserted underneath a shirt collar. The collar shaping device comprises a U-shaped, semi-rigid element having a first end and a second end adapted for surrounding a shirt collar. The semi-rigid element is coextensive with the shirt collar and includes a gap between the first end and the second end. The first end and the second end curve inwardly and downwardly to form a balloon shape. After inserting step 202, the method continues to dampening step 204.

At dampening step 204, the shirt collar is dampened. The shirt collar may be dampened using a spray bottle containing water. After the shirt is dampened, the method continues to shaping step 206. At shaping step 206 the shirt collar is shaped on the collar shaping device while the shirt is still damp. Once a desired shape is attained, the method continues to drying step 208. At drying step 208, the shirt collar is dried to retain the desired shape. The collar may be dried using a blow dryer or may be air dried. Once the collar is dry, the collar shaping device is removed from the shirt.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A collar shaping device, comprising: a U-shaped semi-rigid element having a first end and a second end adapted for surrounding a shirt collar, wherein the semi-rigid element is coextensive with the shirt collar and includes a gap between the first end and the second end; a middle portion of the semi-rigid element integrally formed between the first end and the second end; wherein the first end and the second end curve inwardly and downwardly to form a balloon shape.
 2. The collar shaping device of claim 1, wherein the semi-rigid element is a unitary molded collar.
 3. The collar shaping device of claim 1, wherein the middle portion, first end, and second end have an equal width.
 4. The collar shaping device of claim 1, wherein the first end and the second end of the semi-rigid element comprise an upper edge and a lower edge.
 5. The collar shaping device of claim 4, wherein the upper edge slopes downwardly to the lower edge.
 6. The collar shaping device of claim 4, wherein: the upper edge of the first end and the second end are adjacent to one another; and the lower edge of first end and the second end are angled away from each other relative to each end.
 7. A method for shaping a shirt collar, comprising: inserting a collar shaping device underneath a shirt collar, the collar shaping device comprising: a U-shaped, semi-rigid element having a first end and a second end adapted for surrounding a shirt collar, wherein the semi-rigid element is coextensive with the shirt collar and includes a gap between the first end and the second end; a middle portion of the semi-rigid element integrally formed between the first end and the second end; wherein the first end and the second end curve inwardly and downwardly to form a balloon shape; dampening the shirt collar; shaping the shirt collar on the collar shaping device; and drying the shirt collar.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising removing the collar shaping device once the collar is dry. 